Systems and methods for voice communications and control using adapted portable data storage and display devices

Abstract

A software application hosted on portable electronic digital data storage and display devices, such as Class 1 or 2 certified EFB computing devices in the cockpits of aircraft, integrates system components to allow users to initiate voice communications with various receiving destinations via a WiFi or other communications network. The portable electronic data storage and display device may be configured with a microphone and speakers to facilitate voice transmission and reception via a communications link established between the device and a destination computer, or alternatively a PSTN device to facilitate voice transmission via an accessible “direct dial” telephone system.

1 . A system for facilitating voice communications and control, comprising: 
 a portable electronic data storage and display device that includes: 
 a data storage unit that stores a plurality of interactive data reference pages and at least one software application that converts input audio signals to output data and input data to output audio signals;  
 a data display unit that displays a user-selected individual data reference page chosen from the plurality of interactive data reference pages and information related to the at least one software application;  
 a user interface that allows a user to select and to interact with the user-selected individual data reference page and the at least one software application;  
 a data input/output interface that links the portable electronic data storage and display device to a compatible communications interface to facilitate receiving and transmitting data related to audio signals input to or output from the portable electronic data storage and display device;  
 an audio input/output interface that facilitates inputting audio signals to and outputting audio signals from the portable electronic data storage and display device; and  
 a data processor that processes at least one of user inputs received through the user interface, data inputs from the data input/output interface, or audio inputs from the audio interface, and that drives the display unit to display information related to the at least one software application, and  
   a data communication network interface device that facilitates transmission and reception of data available via the data input/output interface to and from at least one remote receiving node,    wherein the portable electronic data storage and display device is usable to facilitate voice communications via the data communication network interface.    
   
   
       2 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the portable electronic data storage and display device is an Electronic Flight Bag.  
   
   
       3 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein at least some of the plurality of interactive data reference pages contain information comprising at least one of aircraft navigational data, aircraft procedures checklists or aircraft operating manuals.  
   
   
       4 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data communication network interface device comprises at least one of a cockpit-installed private local area network server or an antenna, and data communications connections comprising at least one of wired, wireless or optical connections between communicating elements.  
   
   
       5 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data communication network interface comprises an aircraft antenna for communicating with a WiFi server when within a communication area covered by the WiFi server in an airport.  
   
   
       6 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one software application is a Voice-over-IP software application.  
   
   
       7 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein data regarding at least one remote receiving node can be stored in the portable electronic data storage and display device for later recall.  
   
   
       8 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the user interface is integral to the data display unit and allows for touch manipulation of the at least one software application.  
   
   
       9 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the user interface that is integral to the data display unit provides access to information regarding at least one stored remote receiving node in order to facilitate one-touch call initiation to the at least one stored remote receiving node.  
   
   
       10 . The system of  claim 8 , wherein the user interface that is integral to the data display unit includes at least an alpha-numeric touch pad usable to initiate a direct-dial call to at least one non-stored remote receiving node.  
   
   
       11 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data display unit automatically displays information associated with a call to at least one remote receiving node while the call is in progress.  
   
   
       12 . The system of  claim 1 , wherein the data input/output interface is usable to at least one of automatically receive calls or automatically initiate the at least one software application in response to an incoming call.  
   
   
       13 . The system of  claim 1 , further comprising at least one of speakers or a microphone connected to the audio input/output interface.  
   
   
       14 . The system of  claim 11 , wherein the at least one of speakers or a microphone is an integral headset including earphones and a microphone.  
   
   
       15 . A method for facilitating voice communications and control, comprising: 
 initiating at least one software application for converting input audio signals to output data and input data to output audio signals by manipulating a user interface of a portable electronic data storage and display device that stores a plurality of interactive data reference pages and the at least one software application, and has the capability to receive audio inputs from and transmit audio inputs to a user;    at least one of placing a call to or receiving a call from at least one remote receiving node via a data communication network interface device with which the portable electronic data storage and display device is communicating through manipulation of the at least one software program via the user interface of the portable electronic data storage and display device,    wherein the at least one software application supports voice communications to the at least one remote receiving node via the data communication network interface device.    
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the portable electronic data storage and display device is an Electronic Flight Bag.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein at least some of the plurality of interactive data reference pages contain information comprising at least one of aircraft navigational data, aircraft procedures checklists or aircraft operating manuals.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the data communication network interface device comprises at least one of a cockpit-installed private local area network server or an antenna, and data communications connections comprising at least one of wired, wireless or optical connections between communicating elements.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the data communication network interface comprises an aircraft antenna for communicating with a WiFi server when within a communication area covered by the WiFi server in an airport.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the at least one software application is a Voice-over-IP software application.  
   
   
       21 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein a user interface is integral to a data display unit in the portable electronic data storage and display device and the user interface allows for touch manipulation of the at least one software application.  
   
   
       22 . The method of  claim 21 , further comprising storing data regarding at least one remote receiving node in the portable electronic data storage and display device for later recall.  
   
   
       23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein placing a call to at least one remote receiving node further comprises manipulating the user interface to recall data regarding at least one remote receiving node in order to facilitate one-touch call initiation to the at least one stored remote receiving node.  
   
   
       24 . The method of  claim 21 , wherein placing a call to at least one remote receiving node further comprises manipulating the user interface to display at least an alpha-numeric touch pad usable to initiate a direct-dial call to at least one non-stored remote receiving node.  
   
   
       25 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising automatically displaying, on a data display unit of the portable electronic data storage and display device information associated with a call to at least one remote receiving node while the call is in progress.  
   
   
       26 . The method of  claim 15 , wherein the data input/output interface is usable to at least one of automatically receive calls or automatically initiate the at least one software application in response to an incoming call.  
   
   
       27 . A storage medium on which is recorded a program for implementing the method of  claim 15.